A defendant killed his friend during a drunken fight, claiming self-defence. The Court of Appeal held that voluntary intoxication cannot support a claim of self-defence, even for basic intent crimes.

Voluntary intoxication no defence to crimes of basic intent

Volenti applies when plaintiff voluntarily assumes obvious and extreme risks despite intoxication.

Intoxication can negate specific intent but not basic intent; established key intoxication defence principles.

Involuntary intoxication no defence if criminal intent still formed

Voluntary intoxication no defence to manslaughter despite LSD-induced hallucinations

Non-dangerous therapeutic drugs may negate basic intent if taken without recklessness regarding effects.

House of Lords clarifies test for intention in murder cases

Recklessness includes failing to consider obvious risks that would be apparent to reasonable person.

Specific intent requires decision to bring about the prohibited consequence as means or end.

Unlawful act manslaughter requires no foresight of harm by defendant

A person intends the natural and probable consequences of their acts.

House of Lords clarifies intent requirements for assault causing bodily harm

Defendant's failed poisoning attempt breaks causation chain despite victim's death

House of Lords establishes 'virtual certainty' test for oblique intention in murder

Court of Appeal establishes 'virtual certainty' test for criminal intention

Cunningham establishes subjective test for malice in criminal law

Common mistake voids contract only if fundamental to its very existence.

Distinguished insane automatism from non-insane automatism in criminal defences.

Gross negligence manslaughter requires negligence so gross it amounts to crime

Transferred malice doctrine established when defendant injures unintended victim

Intention to cause grievous bodily harm sufficient for murder conviction

Alcoholism can found diminished responsibility only if disease has damaged brain.

Contract void when parties mean different things by same ambiguous term

Foresight of consequences is evidence of intention, not intention itself.

House of Lords establishes liability for omission after creating dangerous situation

Transferred malice doesn't apply when the type of harm differs from intended